7(5 (EDICNEMUS. THICK-KNEE. 



slender ; tibia bare for two-thirds, and reticulate ; the tibio- 

 tarsal joint large ; tarsus compressed, reticulate with hexa- 

 gonal scales ; toes three, short, scutellate, the outer much 

 longer than the inner, and connected with the third by a 

 basal web. Claws small, slightly arched, compressed, rather 

 acute, the inner edge of that of the middle toe a little 

 dilated. 



Plumage ordinary, close, rather blended ; feathers ovato- 

 oblong on the upper parts, small and oblong on the head 

 and neck. Wings long and pointed, of twenty-five quills ; 

 the primaries tapering, the second longest, the first a little 

 shorter than the third ; the inner secondaries elongated. Tail 

 graduated, of twelve broad, rounded feathers. 



The species of this genus belong to the Old Continent 

 and New Holland. Although the bill of (Edicnemus longi- 

 rostris is so much larger than that of CEdicnemus crepitans, 

 and the colours of the plumage are very different, it is not 

 apparently expedient to separate these species ; and therefore 

 I have had an eye upon it in drawing up the above generic 

 character. The (Edicnemi, it would appear, frequent arid 

 wastes and dry pastures and heaths ; feed on insects, reptiles, 

 and even small mammalia, probably also on vegetable sub- 

 stances, especially bulbous roots. One species occurs in 

 many parts of Europe, and visits the eastern parts of England 

 in summer. 



